A Cork in the Road

Sean Omar is the founder and owner of The Wine Guide in Atlanta, GA. He brings his passion for wine culture and world travels to his business of curating wine orders for his clients, hosting in-home tastings, and building partnerships with local wine shops. He studied abroad in Argentina and Spain during college, and he continues to weave his knowledge from those experiences into his wine education and services. Check out www.thewineguideatl.com and don't hesitate to send him a DM on Instagram @thewineguideatl #stayhome  Recorded April 19, 2020

Clarke Anderson is a talented sommelier serving as beverage manager for Ford Fry’s restaurants, such as King + Duke, St. Cecilia, and No. 246 in Decatur. He has a wealth of experience working in restaurants and traveling for wine, and he capitalizes on his passion for hospitality and wine education in his current role. We chatted about how he got started in his wine career by picking up a book at a yard sale and how his journey has led him to becoming a mentor for other aspiring wine professionals as a founding member of the Southeastern Sommelier Society. You can catch him on instagram at @clarkeanderson and also follow @sommsouth for education opportunities - www.sommsouth.org

Eric Miller is the son of Bob and Jane Miller, the owners of Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland, GA. He is the General Manager of the winery business, and he shared a lot of interesting insight about winery management when I visited the family's home on the North Georgia property for an afternoon chat. We talked about the past, present, and future of Georgia wine. You can find him in the tasting room when you visit for a tour, and he also plays live music with his dad at the winery on the weekends. Check out their upcoming events to plan your visit at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com and follow them @yonahmountainvineyards on social media.  Recorded June 2019

Bob and Jane Miller are the owners of Yonah Mountain Vineyards in Cleveland, GA. I sat down with them for a chat in their beautiful North Georgia home to learn about how they started their vineyard and what makes them unique. When they bought the property, they didn't even plan on planting a vineyard - but now they are putting Georgia wine country on the map with their California-style varietals and gorgeous event facilities. You can learn more about their tours and tastings to plan your visit at www.yonahmountainvineyards.com and follow them @yonahmountainvineyards on social media. Recorded June 2019  

Nancy Waldeck is a chef, cookbook author, public speaker, and wine specialist. She leads and delivers more than 100 events and classes per year in Atlanta and beyond. Calling herself a "Healthy Chef Partyologist" and serving as an Emory University certified health coach, she thrives at the intersection of health, food, and wine. She is sharing her knowledge with students and clients, and she loves to help people build confidence in their ability to pair food with wine. You can find more about her services and travel adventures at www.tasteandsavor.com or follow @chefnancy on Instagram.  Recorded May 2019

Dana Gurela is the owner of Deep Roots Wine Market and Tasting Room located in historic downtown Roswell, GA. She is a California Wine Appellation Specialist and has passed her WSET Level 2 exam. Her shop hosts special events and workshops that allow people to explore all that California has to offer right in the heart of Georgia. With experience working out in the Bay Area, she is bringing her passion for supporting these California producers and former colleagues to her customers through fun and educational wine experiences. Check out their events calendar at www.deeprootswine.com and follow their wine adventures on social @deeprootswinemkt  Recorded May 2019

Travis Green is the winemaker at Atlanta's City Winery. He is a huge supporter of the Georgia wine industry, and he is making many wines from Georgia-grown grapes right in the heart of an urban environment. Born and raised in the North Georgia mountains, he is bringing his enthusiasm and terrior-driven expertise to his winemaking with appreciation for what Georgia is able to produce. Learn more about City Winery Atlanta at www.citywinery.com/atlanta and stop in next time you're in town to sip some fantastic Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc.  Recorded April 2019

Faielle Stocco is Partner and Bar Manager of East Atlanta Village's Banshee, but she is no stranger to the ATL food and beverage scene. With a true passion for all things wine, she is in charge of designing the restaurant's selection with an eye for both quality and variety. She gained experience working for several restaurants in Atlanta before diving into this business, and it's exciting to see the energy that she continues to bring to the industry. You can find out more about Banshee online at www.banshee-atl.com and follow them on social @banshee_eav.  Recorded April 2019

Tyler Barnes is the co-founder of Accent Cellars located two minutes from downtown Dahlonega, GA. He and his brother-in-law are sourcing grapes from farms in Georgia, California, and Texas to craft their wines that they sell from their tasting room. He is enthusiastic about the future of North Georgia's wine country, and he brings a contagious energy to the industry. You can learn more about their winemaker dinners and events online at www.accentcellars.com and follow them @accentcellars on Instagram.  Recorded March 2019

A familiar and friendly face of the Atlanta wine scene, Tim Willard is the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Charlotte-based importer, European Cellars. He is a passionate wine educator who also has experience working in the high-end restaurant industry. He has completed the Advanced Sommelier course through the Court of Master Sommeliers and loves to use his wine knowledge as a way to meet new people and build connections. You can follow him on Instagram at @twillard06 to stay up to date on any of his tastings or events.  Recorded February 2019